Halloween is coming up and that means that it can be tricky buying candy that everyone is able to eat. Luckily, Target has made trick or treating easier for people with food allergies. They have created a candy “cheat sheet” that tells what allergens can be found in popular Halloween candies; therefore, making it easier for the consumer and provider of the candy to make sure that no allergic reactions occur. 
“iCanEat”
Eating out can be a hassle when you have food allergies but the “iCanEat” app makes it much easier. This app allows you to enter each of your food allergies and compares them to the menus of 40 fast food restaurants, allowing you to see what you can and cannot have. “iCanEat” has greatly broadened my brothers dining options, allowing him to feel that for once in his life, food allergies are not holding him back. Although this app costs $4.99 I still believe that it is worth it. I highly recommend downloading this app because of the power it brings to you when deciding your dining options.
*To avoid cross contamination and a possible allergic reaction, speak to the food providers before consuming.
A FAST Take on Fast Food
Fried chicken covered in a golden brown crispy egg and/or dairy containing coating, french fries sizzling with hot peanut oil, and double meat hamburgers dripping with cheese are what most people think of when someone mentions fast food. They are all the typical options when dining out,but none of them are food allergy safe. Here are some fast food restaurants that actually have food allergy friendly options if you know what to order! (You can find all of these restaurants in College Station, TX)
Chick-Fil-A:
Although Chick-Fil-A’s chicken nuggets, chicken strips, and chicken sandwiches contain dairy in the breading, the grilled chicken nuggets and grilled chicken sandwiches are options that do not contain dairy. Many people who live with food allergies also avoid Chick-Fil-A due to the fact that they fry their french fries in peanut oil but the oil is cooked at such a high temperature that the peanut proteins are broken down and the body does not react to the oil. If you or someone you know still doesn’t feel comfortable consuming the french fries there is still the more healthy option of a fruit bowl.
Chick-Fil-A website for further information: http://www.chick-fil-a.com/
Whataburger:
Although many burger places are famous for having buns shimmering with butter, Whataburger is a different story. Their buns are 100% dairy free and as long as you tell them “No cheese” on your burger then your entire burger will also be 100% dairy free. The french fries are also egg, dairy and nut free.
Laynes Chicken Fingers (Not to be confused with Canes):
Laynes is another fast food restaurant in College Station known for its legendary chicken. Each box comes complete with 5 chicken fingers, a generous helping of fries, potato salad, buttered toast, and a container of their secret sauce. Although the buttered toast, potato salad and secret sauce are not food allergy friendly, the french fries and chicken fingers are dairy, egg, and nut free. Instead of ordering a typical box ask for extra fries instead of potato salad and toast and use ketchup instead of the sauce.
Although I’m sure their are many other food allergy friendly fast food restaurants, these are the ones my family dines at the most often. I hope that you enjoy these options as much as we do and that this has helped you to broaden your food allergy friendly dining options!
*Although my family and I have not had any food allergy related problems with these restaurants that does NOT mean that you won’t. Please consume these foods at your own risk and speak with employees of these restaurants for more information.
Food Allergy Friendly Options in Charleston, South Carolina
Over spring break my family and I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina for a family vacation. The town itself was beautiful and there was a large number of activities to do and places to shop at, but naturally we were worried about the dining situation. My brother’s food allergies (dairy, egg, peanut, treenut, and shellfish) limit his options when dining out and we were concerned that we wouldn’t find any food allergy friendly choices at local restaurants. Low country cuisine generally has shrimp and boiled peanuts as their specialties and having food allergies towards both of them can be a little frustrating when trying to pick a restaurant to dine at. Despite our concerns, we dined at 3 separate restaurants that were able to accommodate my brother’s food allergies.
The first restaurant Leon’s Fine Poultry and Oyster Shop was extremely considerate despite having “Oyster” in the name. My brother ordered grilled Mahi Mahi with a cucumber salad drizzled with oil and sesame seeds. The wait staff made sure to make it known to us that they fry their shellfish in separate fryers.
The second restaurant we ate at was Cru. Cru was more on the side of fine dining and was very accommodating. My brother ordered a ginger glazed grilled salmon with lemon risotto and grilled mixed vegetables. The chef and wait staff were extremely friendly and when we made our reservation they made sure that we were aware that they could accommodate his allergies.
The third restaurant Hominy Grill is a great brunch and lunch spot. Here my brother dined on baby back ribs drizzled in a homemade black sugar sauce with jasmine rice and a cucumber salad as his sides. Once again, the wait staff at this restaurant was extremely courteous and offered many different food allergy friendly recipes.
Although Charleston is known for its boiled peanuts, shrimp and grits and one of a kind oysters it can now also be known for its food allergy friendly options and its ability to generously serve those with these dining limitations.
We had a great time in Chuck town also known as the “Holy City”.
Wacky Chocolate Cake Recipe
This cake is an all-time favorite with my family. Not only is it delicious and easy to make but it is dairy, egg and nut free!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly spray 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
In a bowl mix dry ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
In a bowl mix wet ingredients:
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup water
In a large bowl mix wet and dry ingredients together to make batter.
Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes. Check if done by placing a toothpick in middle of cake — if it comes out clean, it’s done.
Let cake cool.
Frosting:
1/2 cup soy margarine or shortening
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar (also called confectioners’ sugar)
5 – 6 tablespoons liquid (such as soy milk or orange juice)
Cream margarine or shortening until fluffy.
Add salt, vanilla & 1/2 the sugar.
Beat until smooth.
Blend in part of the liquid.
Add remaining sugar, beating until smooth.
Add the rest of the liquid a little at a time until the right consistency to spread.
Yield: 2 1/2 cups, enough for 9-inch 2-layer cake.
VARIATIONS: For chocolate frosting add
2 – 4 tablespoons cocoa to the margarine
and beat in.
Food Allergy Friendly Panna Cotta Recipe
Here is another one of our family favorites that my grandmother makes for my brother regularly. Panna cotta is traditionally made with skim milk and heavy whipping cream but this recipe substitutes these with more allergy friendly ingredients. Enjoy!
2 cups sweetened soy milk
2 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
1 packet gelatin
1 tsp. vanilla
Divide soy in half — 1 c. in a saucepan & 1 c. in a bowl.
Add the gelatin to the soy in the bowl and allow to sit.
Heat the soy in the saucepan with the 2 1/2 Tbsp sugar stirring & heating to dissolve the sugar.
Turn off heat and add warm soy to the cold soy.
Add vanilla.
Stir well until gelatin is dissolved.
Pour into ramekins & allow to set.
(Note: Pour mixture through a sieve when pouring into ramekins to catch any un-dissolved particles in the gelatin mixture.)
“Enjoy Life” Chocolate Chips
Enjoy Life chocolate chips are semi-sweet chocolate chips that are dairy, nut and soy free. They are perfect for baking with and great for snacking on especially if you are allergic to average chocoalate or chocolate chips that contain dairy, nuts, and/or soy. You can find them at H-E-B.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles
Since my brother is allergic to dairy, eggs, and all nuts (and shellfish), it can be hard to buy cookies he isn’t allergic to at the grocery store, but these homemade cookies are one of his favorite.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles: Dairy, egg, peanut, and treenut free.
Makes 2 dozen
For the topping:
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cookies:
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons of non-dairy milk (i.e. soy, rice, etc.)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of chocolate extract
1 2/3 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa power
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix the topping ingredients together on a flat plate. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, use a fork to vigorously mix together oil, sugar, syrup, and milk substitute. Mix in extracts.
Sift in remaining ingredients, stirring as you add them. Once all ingredients are added, mix until you’ve got a pliable dough.
Roll dough into balls. Pat into the sugar topping to flatten into roughly 2 inch discs. Transfer to baking sheet, sugar side up, at least 2 inches apart (they do spread). This should be easy as the botom of the cookies should just stick to your fingers so you can just flip them over onto the baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, they should be spread and crackly on top. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
EpiPens and How to Use Them
An EpiPen is an epinephrine (which is another word for adrenaline) injector. When used it releases epinephrine into the body and narrows blood vessels and opens airways to the lungs. After and EpiPen is used, the victim should seek immediate medical attention. Sometimes, during severe anaphalaxis, an EpiPen is not enough. In this case you should call your emergency response number, 911, or rush the victim straight to the hospital.
The steps for using an EpiPen are:
- First call 911 and inform them of your situation
- If personal protective equipment, such as gloves, are available put them on to avoid making the situation worse.
- Next take the EpiPen out of its case and hold it in a fist in the center of the device.
- Next pop the top cap off of the EpiPen (It is typically a blue or gray color) with the opposite end facing down.
- Next firmly inject the other end of the EpiPen into the fleshy part of the outer thigh and hold in place for 10 seconds to simulate drug delivery (The device will click when activated).
- After 10 seconds, remove the EpiPen, avoid touching the end containing the needle, and rub the injection site with a circular motion for another 10 seconds.
- After as little as 15 minutes the reaction may start up again so make sure to seek immediate medical help.
Make sure that you purchase new EpiPens every year (the expiration date is on the box) and if all else fails during an emergency, just remember to stay calm and read the instructions for administrating an EpiPen that are written on the side of the injector.
So what are Food Allergies?
A food allergy is an abnormal immune response to a food you eat and anaphylaxis is an extremely severe allergic reaction that can occur in only a few minutes. After you consume something you are allergic to, your body produces a large amount of histamine, a compound that is released by cells in response to injuries or allergic reactions and causes the contraction of smooth muscles and dilation of capillaries. Too much histamine at one time can be dangerous because it causes severe inflammation. Other symptoms of severe anaphylaxis include a skin rash, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and shock and the symptoms of a normal allergic reaction include swelling, rash, itching, and shortness of breath. After you are somebody else consumes a known allergen, seek immediate medical attention or administer and EpiPen auto-injector.
Food Allergy Support Team 